How 33 People Die In River Niger Boat Mishap

   

It was tragic but it was true that no fewer than 33 persons have been confirmed dead in a boat mishap on River Niger. The incident occurred in Dere village in Katcha Local Government Area of Niger State.

The incident occurred in the early hours of  Monday when a boat conveying about 100 passengers to Lokoja Market from Katcha, capsized.

Checks revealed that the operator of the boat was temporarily blinded by the light of a pipeline patrol team boat at about 4:35a.m, which led to the boat’s operator losing control and hitting a tree.

It was gathered that none of the passengers on the boat was wearing a lifejacket, while eyewitnesses said about four people were rescued by the local divers and five persons escaped by swimming to the bank of the river.

When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in Niger State, DSP Abiodun Gambari, said he was yet to be briefed, but later called to confirm the incident

Sun report